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Flotilla is latest attempt to break Israel's blockade of GazaActivists say Israeli vessels approached, jammed communicationsBoats expect to reach Gaza on Thursday, if not interceptedIsrael says flotilla has provocative, not humanitarian aimsThe international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza said Israeli vessels approached some of its boats and engaged in "dangerous and intimidatory manoeuvres" on Wednesday as it neared the Palestinian territory.The mission's organisers said two Israeli "warships" had approached fast and encircled two of the flotilla's boats, Alma and Sirius. All navigation and communication devices went down in what one organiser on board, Thiago Ávila, described in a press conference as a "cyber attack".The flotilla appeared to have recovered some communications. Israeli officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment."These hostile actions placed unarmed civilians from over 40 countries in grave danger," the flotilla said in a statement.The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 people, among them parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.It is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, much of which has been turned into a wasteland by almost two years of war, to deliver food and medicine.The boats have reached within 120 nautical miles of Gaza's coast, inside an area that Israel is policing to stop any boats approaching.The flotilla said it would continue its course towards Gaza and expects to arrive on Thursday morning if not intercepted.It was unclear who operated the vessels that approached the flotilla. A video post on the flotilla's Instagram page showed the silhouetted outline of what appeared to be a military vessel with a gun turret near the civilian boats.Reuters confirmed that the video was filmed from the vessel Sirius because its rigging and lines matched file imagery of the boat. Reuters could not confirm the identity of the other vessel in the video or when the video was taken.Last week the flotilla was attacked by drones, which dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries.Israel did not comment on that attack, but has said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas in the coastal enclave.Italy and Spain deployed naval ships to help with any rescue or humanitarian needs but stopped following the flotilla once it got within 150 nautical miles (278 km) of Gaza for safety reasons. Turkish drones have also followed the boats.Italy and Greece on Wednesday jointly called on Israel not to hurt the activists aboard and called on the flotilla to hand over its aid to the Catholic Church for indirect delivery to Gaza - a plea the flotilla has previously rejected.Israeli officials have repeatedly denounced the mission as a stunt."This systematic refusal (to hand over the aid) demonstrates that the objective is not humanitarian, but provocative. They are not seeking to help, they are seeking an incident," Jonathan Peled, the Israeli ambassador to Italy, said in a post on X.At the press conference held by organisers on Wednesday, Francesca Albanese, the top U.N. expert on Palestinian rights, said any interception of the flotilla "would be yet another violation of international law, the law of the sea" since Israel had no legal jurisdiction on waters off Gaza.Israel has imposed a naval blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the coastal enclave in 2007 and there have been several previous attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea.In 2010, nine activists were killed after Israeli soldiers boarded a flotilla of six ships manned by 700 pro-Palestinian activists from 50 countries.In June this year, Israeli naval forces detained Thunberg and 11 crew members from a small ship organised by a pro-Palestinian group called the Freedom Flotilla Coalition as they approached Gaza.

Greek vessels join flotilla, now 47 civilian boats strongGreta Thunberg among activists aboardItaly warns of dangers challenging Israeli blockadeAn international aid flotilla that paused for several days in Greek waters for repairs has set sail again for Gaza, where activists aim to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.Organisers said on Sunday that Greek vessels had now joined their enterprise, meaning that the flotilla, which counts some 47 civilian boats, was "complete".A statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) said they intended to "break the illegal Israeli blockade" to deliver aid to the Palestinian territory."For the most part, our boats carry medical supplies, dry food and school equipment, as this was highlighted as some of the biggest priorities by Palestinians on the ground," they added."Brothers and sisters in Gaza, we sail with hope in our hearts. Your resilience is our compass, your struggle is our struggle. Together, we will break the silence of the siege," the Global Sumud Flotilla wrote on social media.They intend to join the Global Sumud Flotilla which is also bound for Gaza carrying aid supplies.On board are elected officials from the European Parliament and from countries including Belgium, France, Ireland, Spain and the United States.Around 40 Italians are aboard the flotilla alongside activists from dozens of other countries, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. They hope to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza in the coming week.Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Sunday repeated a proposal made last week for the flotilla to take the aid to Cyprus for eventual distribution in Gaza by the Roman Catholic Church. The flotilla rejected the suggestion."We have always said ... that it is dangerous to approach Israeli waters. We don't know what might happen. Forcing the blockade is dangerous," Tajani told reporters. The flotilla was struck on Wednesday in international waters off Crete by drones armed with stun grenades and irritants, which caused damage but no injuries.Israel did not comment on the incident. It has previously said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas militants in the coastal enclave.Italy and Spain have deployed navy ships close to the flotilla for rescue and humanitarian tasks.On Wednesday, the United Nations called for an investigation into alleged drone attacks off Greece against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which activists have blamed on Israel.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, aiming to break the Israeli siege on Gaza, announced Sunday that it is now approximately 825 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. The flotilla, comprising over 50 boats carrying more than 500 activists from around 45 countries — including 54 French and 15 Belgian participants, along with prominent activists and medical personnel such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, has faced drone attacks believed to be carried out by Israel. The strikes caused explosions and communication disruptions but resulted in no casualties. A short video posted on the flotilla's account by an activist aboard the Alma boat showed two drones flying at low altitude over the vessels overnight without carrying out any attacks. Activists reaffirmed that they are continuing toward Gaza despite Israeli threats. The flotilla includes the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Global Gaza Movement, the Sumud Convoy, and Malaysia's Sumud Nusantara. European governments have stepped in to provide protection: Italy and Spain announced the deployment of naval vessels to escort the flotilla. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the drone attacks and confirmed a second naval ship would assist the flotilla, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a naval vessel would accompany the ships to anticipate potential attacks. The convoy first departed from Barcelona in late August, carrying humanitarian aid including medical supplies, followed by additional boats from Genoa, Italy, in early September, and vessels from Morocco and Tunisia. This marks the first time that dozens of ships have sailed together in a collective effort to break the Israeli siege on Gaza, after previous flotillas were intercepted and their activists deported by Israeli forces.

Aid flotilla of 50 vessels attacked overnight by dronesConvoy aims to deliver aid and break Israel's Gaza blockadeItaly sends navy ship to offer assistance, condemns attackOnboard radios jammed with "very loud ABBA music", witness saysIsrael says it will not allow any breach of the blockadeAn international aid flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza said on Wednesday it was attacked overnight by drones in international waters off Greece, prompting Italy to send a navy ship to come to its assistance. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is using about 50 civilian boats to try and break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, with many lawyers and activists onboard, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.The vessels were attacked by 12 drones in international waters 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Greek island of Gavdos, said Marikaiti Stasinou, a spokesperson for March to Gaza Greece, which is part of the flotilla.All passengers are safe after drones exploded over the vessels, she told Reuters.GSF said the attack affected 11 vessels and blamed Israel and its allies for "explosions, unidentified drones and communications jamming," saying it would not be intimidated and would continue to sail.Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said in a statement the sea convoy had been targeted by "currently unidentified perpetrators". He expressed the "strongest condemnation" of the incident.He ordered the Italian multi-purpose frigate Fasan, previously sailing north of Crete, to head towards the flotilla "for possible rescue operations", focusing primarily on Italian citizens.The GSF called on other nations to "ensure and facilitate effective protection, including (with) maritime escort, accredited diplomatic observers, and an overt protective State presence. Italy has now taken a first step in this direction.""The drones that have been following us for days have detonated an explosive device, knocking off the boat's jib, and we're at risk of the mast falling," said Stefano Bertoldi, an Italian activist with the climate group "Ultima Generazione" (Last Generation) that is sailing in the flotilla.Bertoldi issued several maydays as the explosions rang out, Last Generation said in a statement.Crosetto expressed "the strongest condemnation" of the "attack" by "currently unidentified perpetrators".Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had asked Israel to ensure the safety of "Italian citizens, along with members of parliament and MEPs".He has already informed Israel that "any operation entrusted to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution," the ministry said in a statement.Tajani has also asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to "reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board," it said.The Greek coastguard told AFP that a patrol boat from the EU borders agency Frontex had approached one vessel and saw no evidence of damage.Contacted at its Warsaw headquarters, Frontex could not immediately confirm or deny the incident.Italy's anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which has a senator on one of the boats, called on the EU "to intervene immediately to defend the vessels flying the flags of member states" by providing "protection and maritime escort through the deployment of Frontex vessels".Israel has repeatedly criticised the flotilla, accusing its activists of complicity with the Hamas.On Wednesday, the foreign ministry repeated an invitation for the flotilla to drop humanitarian aid in an Israeli port, leaving it to Israeli authorities to take it to Gaza, or else face consequences."Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade," a ministry statement said.It made no comment on whether it was responsible for the drones.Earlier this month, the flotilla blamed Israel for other drone strikes on its boats while they were moored in a Tunisian port. Israel did not respond to those accusations.The drones came in the middle of the night dropping stun grenades and itching powder, damaging the sails of some boats, according to two leftist Italian members of the European Parliament aboard the flotilla.Before the attack, onboard radios started playing "very loud ABBA music," Annalisa Corrado of the Democratic Party said in a video message. "We thought it was a joke, but no, it was the first act of intimidation, to tell us they were close enough to get into our radio systems."The attack lasted around three hours until 4 am local time (0100 GMT), Benedetta Scuderi of the Greens-European Free Alliance group told Italian public radio RAI.A Greek coastguard official told Reuters that members of the flotilla contacted them around 2 am (2300 GMT) to inform them of the incident. When approached by the European Union's border agency Frontex, however, the flotilla said it did not require assistance, the official added.In Brussels, a European Commission spokeswoman said "any use of force against the flotilla is not acceptable", adding that "we totally understand" the activists' desire to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza.

At least ten vessels of the "Global Sumud Flotilla", which seeks to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip, came under repeated drone attacks in the Mediterranean Sea, organizers said.Explosions were reported and communications on board were severely disrupted, though no casualties have been confirmed so far.Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, said seven drone attacks struck the flotilla after about 15 aircraft flew overhead, stressing the urgent need for international protection.The flotilla's organizing committee said unidentified objects were dropped on ten boats, causing material damage, while 13 explosions were recorded nearby.It accused Israel of conducting a media disinformation campaign to justify potential military action against the humanitarian convoy, warning that targeting it would amount to a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law.The Global Sumud Flotilla comprises humanitarian workers, doctors, artists, and activists from 44 countries. It departed Tunisia earlier this month after several delays, with the aim of establishing a humanitarian corridor and breaking the blockade imposed on Gaza for more than 23 months. Israel previously intercepted similar sea-borne attempts to reach Gaza in June and July.

GSF reports second drone attack on boat in Tunisian watersTunisian authorities deny first attack, no comment on secondGFS organiser accuses Israel of conducting the attack, Israeli military did not commentFlotilla supported by 44 countries, includes Greta ThunbergThe Global Sumud Flotilla, an international aid initiative to deliver vital supplies to Gaza, said on Wednesday that one of its boats was attacked by a drone at a Tunisian port, the second such strike in two days. The GSF, which is seeking to break Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza using civilian boats, said in a statement that all passengers and crew were unharmed. GSF reported the first attack on Tuesday, saying one of its vessels had been struck by a drone in Tunisian waters at the Sidi Bou Said port, reports Tunisian authorities said were false.A Tunisian Coast Guard spokesperson did not respond to a call from Reuters on Wednesday.One of the flotilla's organisers accused Israel of carrying out the attack."Israel continues to breach international law and terrorise us. We will sail to break the blockade on Gaza no matter what they do," Saif Abukeshek, a member of the GSF steering committee, told Reuters.The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The flotilla posted a video on Instagram of the alleged attack, showing a luminous object hitting the boat and fire erupting on board. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the video.Following the strike, hundreds gathered near the port, where the flotilla's boats were located at the time of the incident, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against Israel and the United States.The group said that the British-flagged Alma sustained fire damage to its top deck and an investigation was underway.Several ambulances rushed to the port, while a Reuters witness reported coastguard boats near the Alma.The flotilla is supported by delegations from 44 countries, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese left-wing politician Mariana Mortagua.Israel has maintained the blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.Israel sealed off Gaza by land in early March, letting in no supplies for three months, leading to the widespread shortage of food. Israel has said Hamas was diverting the aid.Multiple rights experts and scholars say Israel's military assault on Gaza amounts to genocide.In June, Israeli naval forces boarded and seized a British-flagged yacht carrying Thunberg, among others. Israel dismissed the aid ship as a propaganda stunt in support of Hamas."These repeat attacks come during intensified Israeli aggression on Palestinians in Gaza, and are an orchestrated attempt to distract and derail our mission. The Global Sumud Flotilla continues undeterred," the GSF said.

A flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, left Barcelona on Sunday vowing to try to "break the illegal siege of Gaza", organisers said.Some 20 vessels set off from the port city on Spain's east coast just after 3.30 pm (1330 GMT) pledging to "open a humanitarian corridor and end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people", said the Global Sumud Flotilla -- sumud being the Arabic term for "resilience".The group defines itself on its website as an independent organisation with no affiliation to any government or political party.The flotilla, flying Palestinian flags, has hundreds of people aboard, among them activists from dozens of countries including Irish actor Liam Cunningham and Spain's Eduard Fernandez.Also aboard were European lawmakers and public figures including former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.The flotilla is expected to arrive at the war-ravaged coastal enclave in mid-September."The question here today is not why we are sailing. This story is not at all about the mission that we are about to embark upon," Thunberg told reporters."The story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive. The story here is how the world can be silent," she added.For Cunningham, "the fact that you guys are here, and the flotilla is happening, is an indication of the world's failure to uphold international law and humanitarian law, and it is a shameful, shameful period in the history of our world. And we should be collectively ashamed."Organisers said that dozens of other vessels are expected to leave Tunisian and other Mediterranean ports on September 4 to join the aid mission.Activists will also stage simultaneous demonstrations and other protests in 44 countries "in solidarity with the Palestinian people", Thunberg, part of the flotilla's steering committee, wrote on Instagram."This will be the largest solidarity mission in history, with more people and more boats than all previous attempts combined," Brazilian activist Thiago Avila told journalists in Barcelona last week."We understand that this is a legal mission under international law," Portuguese lawmaker Mariana Mortagua, who will join the mission, told journalists in Lisbon last week.Israel has already blocked two attempts by activists to deliver aid by ship to Gaza, in June and July.In June, 12 activists on board the sailboat Madleen, from France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands were intercepted by Israeli forces 185 kilometres west of Gaza.Its passengers, who included Thunberg, were detained and eventually expelled.In July, 21 activists from 10 countries were intercepted as they tried to approach Gaza in another vessel, the Handala.The Spanish government says it will "deploy all of its diplomatic and consular protection to protect our citizens" sailing with the flotilla, the country's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Saturday.Madrid last year recognised Palestine as an independent state.The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened in recent weeks.The United Nations declared a state of famine in the territory this month, warning that 500,000 people face "catastrophic" conditions.